Nadia Strycek

Nadia Strycek, pianist, teacher (born 20 December 1934 in Herentals, Belgium; died 3 January 2016 in Montréal, QC). Born of Czech parents, Nadia Strycek became a naturalized Canadian in 1972. At the age of 11 she was admitted to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels where she won premiers prix in solfège, dictation, theory, piano and chamber music. She did further studies at the Chapelle musicale of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium 1956–59 and at the end of her studies became a Diplômée de la Chapelle musicale, the highest musical distinction in Belgium. She gave several recitals in Europe, notably in Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam and Berlin, besides performing with most of the Belgian orchestras. In December 1964 she made her debut in Montréal. She settled in Canada in 1966 and pursued a career in teaching, particularly at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, first in Québec City 1966–73, then in Trois-Rivières 1973–90 and in Montreal beginning in 1988, and at the JMC Orford Art Centre 1966–78. She gave recitals in Canada, in particular for the JMC (YMC) and with the CBC orchestras in Montréal and Québec City. Her pupils include Suzanne Beaubien, Serge Guillemette, and Éric Trudel, all premiers prix of the CMQ.